The son of Madhuvāsettha of Sāketa. While the Buddha was at Añjanavana, Mahānāga saw the wonder wrought by Gavampati and entered the Order under him, attaining to Arahantship in due course.

In the past he had given a pomegranate (dādima) to Kakusandha Buddha (ThagA.i.442 f).

Several verses uttered by him in admonition of the group of six monks (Chabbaggiyā), because of their failure to show regard for their co-religionists, are found in the Theragāthā. Thag.vss.387-92.